Illinois Artisans Program

Thompson Center Show-May, 2008

The Illinois Artisans Program focuses national attention on the rich heritage of the fine crafting that exists in Illinois.

The Program markets crafts through Artisans Shops located in the James R. Thompson Center, Chicago; the Museum Store at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield; the Museum Shop at the Dickson Mounds Museum; and the Southern Illinois Artisans Shop at Rend Lake.
My Setup

To become a juried artist of the Artisans Program, an artist must live and work within the state. Their craft work must then be reviewed and accepted by a jury-panel sponsored by the Program.

 
An Art Spree is held once monthly in the atrium of the James R. Thompson building in Chicago. Twelve juried members of the Illinois Artisans Program display and sell their work. Selling at the James R. Thompson Center
Sitting in my booth My latest work combines my love of glass and wire forming. I make a silver bezel setting for my glass cabachon, then form wires in delicate filigree, and solder each wire together to form a pendant or earrings.
  My filigree pendant